Hummels: "Sometimes a bit kick-and-rush"

Wins over Poland and Scotland have reinvigorated Joachim Löw's national team and have highlighted their credentials ahead of the European Championships next summer.

Germany leads Group D, two points ahead of Poland and four ahead of the Republic of Ireland. With two games left in Ireland and against Georgia, Löw's side is almost certainly heading to France next summer.

However, the rest of the group remains as enthralling as ever. Ireland and Scotland are vying not to be the left out nation from the British Isles – England has qualified, Wales and Northern Ireland expect to follow soon. Even though Germany needs just a point in Ireland, defender Mats Hummels says taking their foot off the gas in Dublin when the heat will be on the home side is not an option.

“Of course that's what we won't do,” Hummels told DW.com and other reporters in Glasgow. “Our start after the World Cup wasn't so good. We had a draw against Ireland at home so we know we have to improve for going to the Euros next summer. We're in a good position and beat a strong opponent today who played as we expected.”

Probably one of the best in the world

Hummels played the full 90 minutes in Glasgow against Gordon Strachan's men who managed to claw their way back into the game on two occasions, firstly through an own goal from the central defender.

The test in Glasgow was certainly more physical than against Poland on Friday. Germany came out 3-2 winners on the night courtesy of two strikes from Thomas Müller and one from Ilkay Gündogan. “It was sometimes a bit kick-and-rush, but that's one way to play this game. We had a great test here,” Hummels added.

Germany's visit to Ireland will offer similar tests as Hummels feels the side is entering their preparation period for the Championships. “You can't force the preparation, but you can nudge it forward a bit,” he added. “You need to get the right atmosphere in the training, a mixture of being focused and having fun.”

Meanwhile, Hummels' Dortmund teammate, Gündogan, turned in a man-of-the-match performance against Scotland, rewarding the faith of head coach Löw who declared that he was back to his best in the lead-up to the match.

If the performances against Poland and Scotland didn't reaffirm his position in Germany's midfield, the confidence of his fellow players will. “I think he is absolutely back to his best,” Hummels said. “I think when he is at his best he isn't just one of the best midfielders in Germany, but in probably world football. We're very lucky to have him in Dortmund and at the national team, so hopefully that continues.”